A must-see for piano beginners! Carefully selected classic pieces you should play at least once

Do you assume that as a piano beginner there’s absolutely no way you can play famous pieces?

In fact, among classical works, there are many masterpieces that are approachable even for those who’ve only just started practicing the piano.

In this article, we’ve picked out classical pieces recommended for piano beginners!

We’ll introduce a wide range of piano works, as well as piano arrangements of orchestral pieces, from the Baroque era to the modern and contemporary periods.

You can choose to play just a section, or slow down the tempo and play at your own pace—enjoy performing great music in the way that suits you best!

Playlist

A must-see for piano beginners! Carefully selected classic pieces you should play at least once
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Minuet in G major, BWV Anh. 114Christian Petzold		Included in many beginner piano scores, the piano...
2	Nocturne No. 2, Op. 9-2Frederic Chopin		The genius composer born in Poland, Frederic...
3	Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7: “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		Robert, a composer representing the German Romantic school...
4	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” I. AllegrettoLudwig van Beethoven		Moonlight Sonata, delicate melodies and tranquil beauty
5	CanonJohann Pachelbel		Johann, known as a master of Baroque music, …
6	Arabesque No. 1Claude Debussy		Claude Debussy, a French Impressionist composer, ...
7	Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, First MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart…
8	Maiden’s PrayerTekla Badarzewska		Polish composer Tekla Bądarzewska...
9	Gymnopédie No. 1Erik Satie		Active from the late 19th century to the early 20th century...
10	The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, No. 1 in C major, BWV 846, PreludeJ.S.Bach		The great composer known as the Father of Music, Johann…
11	A Doll’s Dream and AwakeningTheodor Oesten		Teodo—well-known as a staple piano piece—
12	Air on the G StringJ.S.Bach		Known as one of Bach’s masterpieces, this piece is…
13	Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven		One of the pieces I long to try playing on the piano is...
14	Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven		Not only as a piano piece, but in a variety of ar—
15	25 Etudes Op. 100, No. 1 “Innocence”Johann Burgmüller		Burgmüller’s études are highly artistic.
16	Piano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart’s graceful three-movement piece
17	Happiness, Opus 292-6Gustav Lange		Heal your heart with an elegant piano piece
18	Suite “Dolly,” Op. 56 No. 2 “Mi-a-ou”Gabriel Fauré		A piano duet composed to celebrate a young girl's birthday
19	Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüller		A brilliant modulation piece from A minor to A major
20	French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – Minuet IIJ.S.Bach		Bach’s Minuet: elegant and profound music
21	“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 12: “Final Scene and the Returning Brothers”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Butterfly finale depicts the end of a ball
22	French Suite No. 6, BWV 817 – GavotteJ.S.Bach		An educational masterpiece of Baroque suites for beginners
23	Six Écossaises No. 1Ludwig van Beethoven		A lively Scottish-style dance, a 2.5-minute charmer
24	Barcarolle No. 12 in E-flat major, Op. 105-2Gabriel Fauré		A French piano piece composed in 1921
25	Le Tombeau de Couperin, No. 2: FugueMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s composition: the only fugue in memory of his fallen comrade
26	Grotesque SerenadeMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s passionate masterpiece from his youth
27	Suite ‘Miroirs’ No. 2 – Sad BirdsMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s suite, Scenes of a Lost Bird
28	Invention No. 2 in C minor, BWV 773J.S.Bach		The Appeal of Bach’s Invention in C Minor
29	Songs Without Words, Book II, Op. 30, No. 1: MeditationFelix Mendelssohn		A classic with a gentle melody, rich in emotion
30	MemoryWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		An elegant piano piece in G major
31	Songs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62 No. 5, No. 3: “Venetian Boat Song”Felix Mendelssohn		Mendelssohn’s moving canal miniature
32	French Suite No. 1, BWV 812: SarabandeJ.S.Bach		An approachable dance piece, ideal as an introduction to Baroque music
33	French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – CouranteJ.S.Bach		Elegant dance works of Baroque music
34	French Suite No. 3, BWV 814, MinuetJ.S.Bach		An elegant baroque-style dance suite
35	Gavotte from French Suite No. 4, BWV 814J.S.Bach		Introduction to Masterpieces of French Dance Music from the Baroque Era
36	French Suite No. 5, BWV 816: SarabandeJ.S.Bach		Classical music, the sarabande of the Baroque era is captivating.
37	French Suite No. 6, BWV 817: SarabandeJ.S.Bach		A dance imbued with Bach’s profound spirituality
38	Musette in D majorJ.S.Bach		An approachable piece born from Bach’s music notebook
39	Three Fantasies or Caprices, Op. 16: No. 1 in A minor/A major, MWV U 70Felix Mendelssohn		An emotionally rich piano piece written in the summer of 1829…
40	Rondo Capriccioso in E major, Op. 14, MWV U 67 No. 1 AndanteFelix Mendelssohn		Beginning with an elegant and lyrical Andante, it becomes light and lively…
41	Six Pieces for Children (Christmas Album), Op. 72: No. 2 in E-flat major, Andante sostenuto, MWV U 170Felix Mendelssohn		Mendelssohn’s heartwarming piano piece
42	Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19, No. 4: A Secret ConversationFelix Mendelssohn		A calm and graceful miniature, rich in emotion
43	“Butterflies,” Op. 2: No. 10, “Unmasking the Mask”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s piano suite, a masterpiece brimming with lyric poetry
44	“Butterflies” Op. 2 No. 1 “Masquerade”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s waltz: light and lively, with a touch of brilliance.
45	“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 3: “Waltz”Robert Schumann		Introduction to Schumann’s “Carnival of the Butterflies,” Waltz No. 3
46	“Butterfly,” Op. 2, No. 6: “Waltz of the Wurzel”Robert Schumann		Consisting of 12 short pieces that dance gracefully like butterflies…
47	Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 2: PierrotRobert Schumann		Schumann’s Pierrot pieces depict delicate emotions.
48	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 11 No. 1 “II. Theme and Variations” Op. 118a-2Robert Schumann		The charm of variations filled with love for children
49	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 11, No. 2: “3. Evening Song” Op. 118b-3Robert Schumann		Schumann’s heartwarming piano piece
50	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 5: An Important EventRobert Schumann		A charming miniature that depicts a child's worldview
51	Alliance de David, Dance Collection No. 18, Non presto, C major — not fastRobert Schumann		A serene, small piece by Schumann brimming with poetic sentiment
52	Morning Songs No. 1: In a calm tempoRobert Schumann		A Schumann piano piece expressing the quiet of morning.
53	French Suite No. 2, BWV 813: Menuet IJ.S.Bach		Bach’s elegant triple-meter dance
54	Polonaise in G minor (BWV Anh. 119)J.S.Bach		Loving music for Bach’s wife
55	Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian		A short piece of ethnic music for children with an impressive staccato feel
56	Children’s Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian		A piano miniature depicting children's play
57	Sonatina No. 1, Movement I, Op. 20-1Friedrich Kuhlau		A clear and approachable piece in C major
58	Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindler		The lively, resounding tone of the trumpet is captivating…
59	Passacaglia Harpsichord Suite No. 7 (HWV 432)Georg Friedrich Händel		A masterpiece that distills the charm of Baroque music
60	Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller		Burgmüller’s narrative and elegant piano pieces
61	Six Ecossaises No. 3Ludwig van Beethoven		A lively Scottish-style social dance tune
62	Six Écossaises No. 5Ludwig van Beethoven		An elegant dance in E-flat major, with a light, lively rhythm
63	Seven Ländlers, WoO 11 No. 3Ludwig van Beethoven		A classical work for piano in the Ländler style, premiered in Vienna in 1799
64	7 Ländler WoO 11 No. 4Ludwig van Beethoven		The cheerful music of Austrian folk dance
65	7 Ländler WoO 11 No. 7Ludwig van Beethoven		An elegant 3/4 time, a masterpiece by Beethoven
66	11 New Bagatelles for Piano, Op. 119 No. 8 in C majorLudwig van Beethoven		Rich music, a pleasant resonance, and moving emotion
67	Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2, Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven		A warm triple-meter piece in minuet form
68	Piano Sonata No. 25, Op. 79, Movement IIILudwig van Beethoven		A graceful romantic masterpiece in 9/8 time
69	Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementi		A bright Classical-era piano piece like spring
70	Sonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementi		An elegant and technically skillful piano piece, brilliant and bright.
71	Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementi		The charm of piano pieces: brilliant and powerful
72	Minuet in F major, K. 4, from Nannerl’s Music BookWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		The elegant minuet from Mozart’s childhood
73	Piano Sonata No. 2 in F major, K. 280 (K6. 189e), No. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		An elegant three-movement work by an 18-year-old prodigy
74	Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, No. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Beautiful masterpieces of classical music
75	Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, No. 3Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		An elegant piano piece by Mozart
76	Sonatina in F major, First MovementAnton Diabelli		A masterpiece with an elegant, radiant melody
77	Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi		A masterpiece that conveys the expressiveness and allure of piano music
78	French Suite No. 2, BWV 813: GigueJ.S.Bach		A light 3/8-time dance by Bach
79	Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 12 – ChopinRobert Schumann		Schumann’s masterpiece filled with love for Chopin
80	Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100, No. 19 “Ave Maria”Johann Burgmüller		A religious piece inspired by a cathedral church choir
81	Ecossaises in E-flat major, WoO 86Ludwig van Beethoven		Inspired by traditional Scottish folk dance…
82	Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky		A famous piece for children that depicts a witch's tale through music
83	Minuet in G major, K. 1 (K6 1e), from the Nannerl NotebookWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Beautiful Minuet by 5-Year-Old Mozart
84	Minuet in C major, K. 1 (K⁶ 1f), from Nannerl’s Music BookWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		A refined minuet masterpiece for a five-year-old